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The Altar of Incense

30 “Moreover, you shall make (A)an altar as a place for burning incense; you shall make it of acacia wood. Its length shall be a [a]cubit, and its width a cubit; it shall be square. And its height shall be two cubits; its horns shall be [b]of the same piece. You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and its [c]sides all around, and its horns; and you shall make a gold molding all around for it. You shall make two gold rings for it under its molding; you shall make them on its two side walls—on [d]opposite sides—and [e]they shall be holders for poles with which to carry it. You shall make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. You shall put [f]this altar in front of the veil that is [g]near the ark of the testimony, in front of the [h](B)mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with you. Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; he shall burn it every morning when he trims the lamps. When Aaron [i]trims the lamps [j]at twilight, he shall burn incense. There shall be continual incense before Yahweh throughout your generations. You shall not offer any strange incense on [k]this altar or burnt offering or grain offering; and you shall not pour out a drink offering on it. 10 Aaron shall (C)make atonement on its horns once a year; he shall make atonement on it with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once a year throughout your generations. It is most holy to Yahweh.”

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 30:2 A cubit was approx. 18 in. or 45 cm
  2. Exodus 30:2 Lit from itself
  3. Exodus 30:3 Lit walls
  4. Exodus 30:4 Lit its two
  5. Exodus 30:4 Lit it
  6. Exodus 30:6 Lit it
  7. Exodus 30:6 Or over; lit upon
  8. Exodus 30:6 Or propitiatory seat, place of atonement
  9. Exodus 30:8 Lit causes to ascend
  10. Exodus 30:8 Lit between the two evenings
  11. Exodus 30:9 Lit it

The Altar for Incense

30 You shall make an altar on which to burn incense. Make it of acacia wood. It is to be eighteen inches long and eighteen inches wide. It is to be square, and three feet high. Its horns are to be one piece with it. Overlay it with pure gold—its top, all its sides, and its horns. Make a gold border[a] around it. Make two gold rings to place under its border. Make them for each of its two opposite sides. They will serve as holders for poles with which to carry it. Make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold.

Put the altar in front of the veil that hides the Ark of the Testimony, in front of the atonement seat that is above the Testimony, where I will meet with you. Aaron shall burn incense made of fragrant spices on it every morning. When he tends the lamps, he shall burn the incense. When Aaron lights the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it as the regular incense before the Lord throughout your generations. You shall offer no other incense on it, no burnt offering, and no grain offering, and you shall pour no drink offering on it. 10 Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year. With the blood of the sin offering for atonement, once a year he shall make atonement for it throughout your generations. It is most holy to the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 30:3 It is uncertain if this is a rim, trim, a frame, or edging.